Director John Curran, (‘The Painted Veil’) nominated for best film at the London Film Festival and the Golden Lion at Venice for ‘Tracks’, has overcome one of the hardest challenges that faces films about characters travelling over extremely long distances – namely to not make them episodic or lack dramatic structure. Instead he has made a film that is largely entertaining, uplifting and inspiring. Based on the true experience of Robyn Davidson, who in 1977 trekked across the scorching and torturous Australian outback, a total of 1,700 miles!

Played by Mia Wasikowska, Davison is a character seeking solitude, with a survivalist mentality – something she uses as the journey creates many moments of anxiety for her and for the audience.

As her character is stripped bare, not just by the sun but the very desert itself, it’s impossible not to feel for her, and feel inspired by her. A spirited and captivating film…